Seahawks welcome Bobby Wagner back from injury, but now might lose Heath Farwell

Originally published August 25, 2014 at 9:05 pm

Updated August 25, 2014 at 11:16 pm

RENTON — One middle linebacker returned to the Seahawks on Monday while the team learned the season could be in jeopardy for another linebacker.

Returning was starter Bobby Wagner, who has not played in the preseason after suffering a hamstring injury in a scrimmage before the first exhibition game.

Wagner, who went through warm-ups in full pads with the team before the game Friday against the Bears but did not see action, said he feels good and ready to play Thursday at Oakland if asked.

“I’ve been doing as much conditioning as I possibly can,’’ he said. “When I got out there I didn’t feel tired at all and that’s why we do all the running in the offseason and getting in shape. I feel like I’m still in pretty good shape.’’

Getting bad news was Wagner’s listed backup the past two seasons, Heath Farwell, whose more critical role was as the team’s special teams captain.

Farwell left late in the game against the Bears with a groin injury that coach Pete Carroll said Monday will probably require surgery.

Carroll said Farwell suffered “extensive damage’’ to the groin and called it “a very, very difficult situation for him.’’ He said Farwell will be examined Tuesday with a possible surgery Thursday.

The 32-year-old Farwell had been locked in a battle with undrafted rookie free agent Brock Coyle for a backup middle linebacker job (a spot K.J. Wright also can play, having filled in when Wagner missed two games last season). But Farwell’s injury might now give the Seahawks a rather easy decision, if under unfortunate circumstances.

Carroll said Coyle “took full advantage’’ of the playing time he got in Wagner’s absence and he has “been very comfortable and looked very good. It’s great to get Bobby back but on the other side of it it’s really helped Brock come along and show what he means to this team.’’

Seahawks make cuts

Before practice Monday, the Seahawks pared eight players off their 90-man roster as the deadline Tuesday to get to 75 drew closer.

Wade Smith and Thomas, as veterans with four-plus years of experience, became free agents. The rest will go through waivers, with teams able to claim them in reverse order of finish from 2013 (same order as NFL draft).

Bronson, a graduate of Kentwood High who played at Washington and Eastern Washington, had been signed as an undrafted free agent following the team’s rookie minicamp.

Kevin Smith also played at UW.

Wade Smith, 33, who made the Pro Bowl in 2012 with the Houston Texans, was signed early in camp but couldn’t supplant some of the younger players ahead of him.